Cavendish feverish on eve of Tour of Qatar

World Champion ‘unable to get out of bed’ before first race of the season

Mark Cavendish’s aim of beginning his season as world road race champion has run into complications before it has started, with a question mark over the Briton’s ability to begin the Tour of Qatar tomorrow.

“He said he felt tired yesterday morning before he got on the flight and then just during the flight he just started to get cold and sweaty a bit. He’s okay, he’s just not going to train today and hope for the best really.”

Cavendish has since updated the situation via Twitter, indicating that his health is still not right. “13hrs of sweat-drenched sleep hasn't shifted a fever that started on the plane over here. Really not feeling well today. Can't leave my bed,” he wrote.

The Tour of Qatar begins tomorrow, giving the Sky Procycling rider little time to prepare for the opening stage. It covers 142.5 kilometres from Barzan Towers to Doha Golf Club and is likely to be run off at very high speeds.

He’s travelled a long distance to get to the race, though, and so the team will hope that his symptoms ease somewhat over the next few hours and he can sleep properly tonight.

If that doesn’t happen, the team may have to re-evaluate his participation in the race and instead delay his season start until the Tour of Oman.

One of Cavendish's big sprinting rivals, Andre Greipel, has already scratched his participation in the race. He cancelled his flight to Qatar this week after coming down sick with stomach problems and fever.